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853 Hard To Believe Facts
I admit that most trivia books are insufferably boring. This book, however, is loaded with fun and verified facts, presented in a manner that will provide you with hours of entertainment. It will load you with never-ending intellectual ammunition for a lifetime of parties. If you argue that it is absolutely useless information, you will be right ... until you know how to use it. Amaze your friends and family by telling them that "Hitler woman” is an anagram of “mother-in-law” or that the holes in pen caps are there to save people from choking to death!
Following the success of my site RaiseYourBrain, I decided to collect the best gems of breath-taking trivia and to present you a great compilation of facts, suitable for vast auditory. This is a result of years of sifting through history and references books on a myriad of subjects as well as searching the Internet and paying attention to the news.
In 2016, I published “1123 Hard to Believe Facts”, which was read by tens of thousands and accumulated hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon and GoodReads, averaging 4.4* (out of 5). As it has remained in the Top 10 of its category for almost two years now, I decided that it is definitely time for the long-awaited follow-up. The present book contains fewer, but better explained facts about literally everything.
Apparently, this book can be fun for high school students too: even the most “spicy” entries, neatly separated in the chapter “Facts about human and animal sexuality”, remain factual and abstain from profanity. To my greatest delight, an avid reader of my website explained that he was preparing daily fact sheets for his son’s lunch box. He prints out three facts every day to create some lunch-time fun for his child and to provoke his intellectual curiosity. Honestly, I wish my parents had done the same at the time!
Following the success of my site RaiseYourBrain, I decided to collect the best gems of breath-taking trivia and to present you a great compilation of facts, suitable for vast auditory. This is a result of years of sifting through history and references books on a myriad of subjects as well as searching the Internet and paying attention to the news.
In 2016, I published “1123 Hard to Believe Facts”, which was read by tens of thousands and accumulated hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon and GoodReads, averaging 4.4* (out of 5). As it has remained in the Top 10 of its category for almost two years now, I decided that it is definitely time for the long-awaited follow-up. The present book contains fewer, but better explained facts about literally everything.
Apparently, this book can be fun for high school students too: even the most “spicy” entries, neatly separated in the chapter “Facts about human and animal sexuality”, remain factual and abstain from profanity. To my greatest delight, an avid reader of my website explained that he was preparing daily fact sheets for his son’s lunch box. He prints out three facts every day to create some lunch-time fun for his child and to provoke his intellectual curiosity. Honestly, I wish my parents had done the same at the time!
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2018
1496 people are currently reading
1277 people want to read
About the author
Nayden Kostov
27 books243 followersBorn in Bulgaria, I have lived in places like Germany, Belgium and Iraq, before settling down with my family in Luxembourg. With varied interests, I have always suffered from an insatiable appetite for facts stemming from an unrestrainable intellectual curiosity. It has certainly influenced my academic background and career: after acquiring Master degrees in Greek Philology, German and English Translation, I graduated in Crisis Management and Diplomacy and, most recently, undertook an MBA.
My career has been equally broad and diverse, swinging from that of an army paratrooper and a military intelligence analyst; through to that of a civil servant with the European Commission, and presently, that of a clerk, performing purely financial tasks in a major bank. Member of MENSA.
My career has been equally broad and diverse, swinging from that of an army paratrooper and a military intelligence analyst; through to that of a civil servant with the European Commission, and presently, that of a clerk, performing purely financial tasks in a major bank. Member of MENSA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 4, 2025
As the title suggests, there are 853 facts within the pages of this book (some very hard to believe).
Definitely a book to dip in and out of.
Some very interesting facts, extremely useful material for a pub quiz or indeed a dinner party.
Just make sure you don’t bore the pants off your guests (or hosts) by trying to demonstrate your new found knowledge!
Definitely a book to dip in and out of.
Some very interesting facts, extremely useful material for a pub quiz or indeed a dinner party.
Just make sure you don’t bore the pants off your guests (or hosts) by trying to demonstrate your new found knowledge!
November 8, 2024
Hard to believe is correct
Interesting book. Even though I found some facts very hard to believe. How does a person find time to sit and research all these facts. Crazy. Some I must admit I did google myself.
Interesting book. Even though I found some facts very hard to believe. How does a person find time to sit and research all these facts. Crazy. Some I must admit I did google myself.
August 27, 2018
Wow! This book had so many great and interesting facts! I have read several books from this Author and this one does not disappoint! I think it is great that we are shown the verification process. And as I have enjoyed in the other books, the illustrations are awesome! I will definitely be reading more of these soon!
June 20, 2018
Good facts
Great quick read. Would have liked a bit more detail, but great read nonetheless. I will look for more from this author.
Great quick read. Would have liked a bit more detail, but great read nonetheless. I will look for more from this author.
March 14, 2019
Interesting and fun to read.
June 22, 2018
This book is full of facts that are shocking and amazing! It's broken down into a chapter on virtually everything, then it goes on to describe disturbing facts about the world, leading up to interesting facts about human and animal sexuality, and finally it compares facts and myths about things that blew my mind! It was eye-opening to learn what actually inspired the pioneer of television. I was stunned to learn that the U.S. doesn't actually have the highest rate of obesity. The author reveals which place does. This book also reveals what the most common disease in the world is. It's not the disease that most people think it is. Two of the most surprising facts revealed in this book are that almonds belong to a FRUIT family and a fascinating fact about 3D printers. This book definitely proves that there is so much to learn about everything, and a lot of the things that we think are true are actually myths. This book is a MUST-READ!
March 1, 2025
Fun and interesting 😊
Read
June 5, 2025I’m a nerd, what can I say
June 7, 2018
Getting addicted to those :-)
November 10, 2024
fun facts
Definitely recommend this book a lot of useful information and historical lessons to learn from . Everyone would benefit from reading
Definitely recommend this book a lot of useful information and historical lessons to learn from . Everyone would benefit from reading
November 2, 2024
Fascinating facts
An easy to read ebook with some amusing and fascinating pieces of trivia. I particularly liked that some photos are included, helping me to picture things, it's a shame there wasn't a bit more context provided, how some things are known/researched. Worth a read regardless 📚
An easy to read ebook with some amusing and fascinating pieces of trivia. I particularly liked that some photos are included, helping me to picture things, it's a shame there wasn't a bit more context provided, how some things are known/researched. Worth a read regardless 📚
October 10, 2019
Title: 853 Hard to Believe Facts
Author: Nayden Kostov
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 5/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 16 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 13 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
16 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘This is okay. I liked many of the facts. There were interesting and, often, unique.’ Male reader, aged 32
‘Fun, interesting, a little too silly for me. Probably not good for children. Keep that in mind. A trivia nut will probably find it interesting. I did already know a lot of them but still a fun, light read.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘This will entertain you. Will it educate you? Probably not. The facts are a little too silly to be of any use. I guess you could impress your pals by blurting out a few of them when the time is right. I laughed at a few of them which must be good.’ Female reader, aged 59
‘Lots of facts for adults. Most of them were pretty crazy. It was fun to share them with my husband. They make a good talking point. A clever idea.’ Female reader, aged 47
‘This is the perfect book to put in the loo. Then, as you sit there, you can learn a few things.’ Male reader, aged 39
To Sum It Up:
‘A fun mix of facts that will surprise and amuse you.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Author: Nayden Kostov
Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 5/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 16 readers:
12 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 13 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
16 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
12 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘This is okay. I liked many of the facts. There were interesting and, often, unique.’ Male reader, aged 32
‘Fun, interesting, a little too silly for me. Probably not good for children. Keep that in mind. A trivia nut will probably find it interesting. I did already know a lot of them but still a fun, light read.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘This will entertain you. Will it educate you? Probably not. The facts are a little too silly to be of any use. I guess you could impress your pals by blurting out a few of them when the time is right. I laughed at a few of them which must be good.’ Female reader, aged 59
‘Lots of facts for adults. Most of them were pretty crazy. It was fun to share them with my husband. They make a good talking point. A clever idea.’ Female reader, aged 47
‘This is the perfect book to put in the loo. Then, as you sit there, you can learn a few things.’ Male reader, aged 39
To Sum It Up:
‘A fun mix of facts that will surprise and amuse you.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
October 5, 2019
Simple & Interesting
This is the sort of book your read to kill time. Lots of interesting facts. For example a the buzzing sound a mosquito makes, comes from a specific organ and has nothing to do with it flapping its wings!
Would give it 5 stars if each fact was more directly referenced to its source.
This is the sort of book your read to kill time. Lots of interesting facts. For example a the buzzing sound a mosquito makes, comes from a specific organ and has nothing to do with it flapping its wings!
Would give it 5 stars if each fact was more directly referenced to its source.
October 2, 2019
I learned so much!!
Omg I have no idea how many times I got lost in my own world of research just from one sentence in this book.
Omg I have no idea how many times I got lost in my own world of research just from one sentence in this book.
May 29, 2020
This was a free offering on my Amazon Kindle. I don’t think I would have paid for this book, but I did enjoy it despite a couple of minor drawbacks. Being a documentary-watcher and trivia buff whose interest predates the internet, I already have a trove of fascinating facts taking up space in my brain. (I would say about 15-20 percent of these 853 facts were things I already knew.) However, the best and most interesting part of this book is that many of the facts are international in origin and taken from the last decade, and so were much more likely to be new to me.
Apart from content, however, other aspects of the book could use improvement. The author does not write like a true native speaker of English. He has an imperfect understanding of the way articles (a, an, the) are used—or not used—in English. The book needs a good editor to get rid of all the extra occurrences of the word “the” where it is not required.
Also, in an age where most people have the ability to look things up quickly if they don’t understand, the book sometimes contains uncalled-for explanatory information. For example, even for an international audience, is it necessary to write “Detroit, Michigan (USA)”?
But despite these minor annoyances, I would recommend this book to trivia buffs looking for some light reading.
Apart from content, however, other aspects of the book could use improvement. The author does not write like a true native speaker of English. He has an imperfect understanding of the way articles (a, an, the) are used—or not used—in English. The book needs a good editor to get rid of all the extra occurrences of the word “the” where it is not required.
Also, in an age where most people have the ability to look things up quickly if they don’t understand, the book sometimes contains uncalled-for explanatory information. For example, even for an international audience, is it necessary to write “Detroit, Michigan (USA)”?
But despite these minor annoyances, I would recommend this book to trivia buffs looking for some light reading.
April 4, 2021
Bit blah
I saw this book and thought it might be an interesting read. When I was little my family had the board game Who wants to be a millionaire. I was rubbish at it and decided to read the question cards to learn the facts. This book is exactly like that. It is a load of short facts in a randomised order that are difficult to remember or use.
I am sure Kostov went to a great deal of effort but the layout of the book makes it difficult to appreciate. Facts were so randomised I was hesitant to turn the page in case my phobia was photographed! I don't think the photographs added much other than padding to make it appear more book than magazine.
I think the facts would be more appreciated if they were grouped - so animal facts together, war facts together etc. If someone wanted to find a particular fact then this would make it much easier.
More padding could be given around the facts too; so when we are informed a 14 year old was given the death penalty, we could be given more about this, almost like a mini story - a paragraph or two instead of a line.
Sadly I can only rate it a one star.
I saw this book and thought it might be an interesting read. When I was little my family had the board game Who wants to be a millionaire. I was rubbish at it and decided to read the question cards to learn the facts. This book is exactly like that. It is a load of short facts in a randomised order that are difficult to remember or use.
I am sure Kostov went to a great deal of effort but the layout of the book makes it difficult to appreciate. Facts were so randomised I was hesitant to turn the page in case my phobia was photographed! I don't think the photographs added much other than padding to make it appear more book than magazine.
I think the facts would be more appreciated if they were grouped - so animal facts together, war facts together etc. If someone wanted to find a particular fact then this would make it much easier.
More padding could be given around the facts too; so when we are informed a 14 year old was given the death penalty, we could be given more about this, almost like a mini story - a paragraph or two instead of a line.
Sadly I can only rate it a one star.
February 22, 2021
Just the thing for a rainy day
I enjoyed this compendium of facts. Now most people won't read a book like this straight through, but I like to read them just that way, because I find the flow of information is a relaxing break from a novel. There are little nuggets of information that will please everyone I think. Now I am not saying these are all brand new pieces of information, because if you are a reader of trivia you know that you will read some information that you have read before. However you will surely find some new facts to cram into your trivia file in your head or be like me and go I remember that fact from years ago. But it is all fun to find new or be reminded of facts you had forgotten over time. So get a copy or not but if you do just sit back and enjoy.
I enjoyed this compendium of facts. Now most people won't read a book like this straight through, but I like to read them just that way, because I find the flow of information is a relaxing break from a novel. There are little nuggets of information that will please everyone I think. Now I am not saying these are all brand new pieces of information, because if you are a reader of trivia you know that you will read some information that you have read before. However you will surely find some new facts to cram into your trivia file in your head or be like me and go I remember that fact from years ago. But it is all fun to find new or be reminded of facts you had forgotten over time. So get a copy or not but if you do just sit back and enjoy.
March 12, 2020
Entertaining, quick read
This is a list of various facts and brief antecdotes, some of which may lead to internet searches to find the whole story. Some have photos to illustrate.
They're sectioned off into groups, including a myth vs. reality section. It's a quick, light read. The author explains his verification technique at the end of the book, though some facts remain unbelievable and others made me wonder what the criteria were to merit inclusion.
An example of one of the facts that I found amusing:
"Sometimes wallabies get high after breaking into opium crops, then run around in a frenzy and make what look like crop circles."
This is a list of various facts and brief antecdotes, some of which may lead to internet searches to find the whole story. Some have photos to illustrate.
They're sectioned off into groups, including a myth vs. reality section. It's a quick, light read. The author explains his verification technique at the end of the book, though some facts remain unbelievable and others made me wonder what the criteria were to merit inclusion.
An example of one of the facts that I found amusing:
"Sometimes wallabies get high after breaking into opium crops, then run around in a frenzy and make what look like crop circles."
February 16, 2021
One of a series of trivia books by this author. An interesting set of random facts. The author has a short section about verification at the end. His sources include encyclopedias, newspapers, and journals. I would guess that some facts may not be 100% accurate.
There are a few illustrations and photos to illustrate the facts presented. The organization is pretty random, but for those who enjoy gathering random information, the read is entertaining and generally informative.
Caution, parents and teachers might want to review the human sexuality section before allowing children to read the section on animal and human sexuality.
There are a few illustrations and photos to illustrate the facts presented. The organization is pretty random, but for those who enjoy gathering random information, the read is entertaining and generally informative.
Caution, parents and teachers might want to review the human sexuality section before allowing children to read the section on animal and human sexuality.
August 31, 2019
Do Not Read This Before Bed
I couldn’t put it down and consequently was up way past my bedtime. If you enjoy a curious mind, you will most likely do as I did and will read the whole book, from the Prologue on, in one sitting. I found it very readable but there were many instances that I thought could use a little more explanation. I am inclined to read more books by this author, Nayden Kostov. I will start them earlier in the day.
I couldn’t put it down and consequently was up way past my bedtime. If you enjoy a curious mind, you will most likely do as I did and will read the whole book, from the Prologue on, in one sitting. I found it very readable but there were many instances that I thought could use a little more explanation. I am inclined to read more books by this author, Nayden Kostov. I will start them earlier in the day.
March 16, 2020
853 Hard To Believe Facts
While I learn something new from most trivia books, this one lacks organization. The last section of the book was the best as it wasn't just a list of facts, but a list of myths and why they were incorrect. While not every fact had a note for the reader to verify its authenticity, the author did provide a list of sources in the back along with an explanation of the system he used to verify those facts he included in this book.
While I learn something new from most trivia books, this one lacks organization. The last section of the book was the best as it wasn't just a list of facts, but a list of myths and why they were incorrect. While not every fact had a note for the reader to verify its authenticity, the author did provide a list of sources in the back along with an explanation of the system he used to verify those facts he included in this book.
March 20, 2020
I couldn’t put it down and consequently was up way past my bedtime. If you enjoy a curious mind, you will most likely do as I did and will read the whole book, from the Prologue on, in one sitting. I found it very readable but there were many instances that I thought could use a little more explanation. I am inclined to read more books by this author, Nayden Kostov. I will start them earlier in the day
December 11, 2023
This book is just what it claims to be: a listing of interesting facts. Most of the facts are in the first chapter, but some of sectioned off into more specific categories. I did enjoy reading the facts and found most to be very interesting. I do wonder if some of the facts need to be updated as most date back to 2016-2017 and at times the grammar feels clunky, almost like Google translate was used.
January 6, 2021
Interesting
If you like Ripley's museums and Gravity Falls you would enjoy this book. I am that person who likes all the little useless facts do I enjoyed the book. It reminded me of spending a day at one of the many Ripley's museums I have visited. There are also pictures added in to make the book more enjoyable.
If you like Ripley's museums and Gravity Falls you would enjoy this book. I am that person who likes all the little useless facts do I enjoyed the book. It reminded me of spending a day at one of the many Ripley's museums I have visited. There are also pictures added in to make the book more enjoyable.
May 30, 2018
I supported its crowdfunding campaign and was among the first ones to read it.
What I like:
-Facts are crazy and very entertaining;
-More pictures;
-Larger section of myths busted.
The only piece of criticism: it may be just me, but the photo of the coconut crab eating a bird was too grim...
What I like:
-Facts are crazy and very entertaining;
-More pictures;
-Larger section of myths busted.
The only piece of criticism: it may be just me, but the photo of the coconut crab eating a bird was too grim...
September 21, 2019
Interesting facts
I enjoyed the book.Mostly fun yet useless facts designed to entertain and enlighten you.A good way to spend an hour.
I enjoyed the book.Mostly fun yet useless facts designed to entertain and enlighten you.A good way to spend an hour.
September 22, 2019
Mille intersting
Hardly any of the facts mentioned are hard to believe. It's virtue is in its brevity. This book really deserves only two stars for entertainment value, but as they did in school it gets an additional star for effort.
Hardly any of the facts mentioned are hard to believe. It's virtue is in its brevity. This book really deserves only two stars for entertainment value, but as they did in school it gets an additional star for effort.
November 26, 2019
Fascinating!
All the facts have been verified by more than one credible source. They’re all interesting and great to pull out when dinner conversation gets boring.
The only criticism is the grammar.
All the facts have been verified by more than one credible source. They’re all interesting and great to pull out when dinner conversation gets boring.
The only criticism is the grammar.
September 5, 2020
This book has an interesting collection of facts. While some facts are interesting to read, here's a fair warning from me.
Some of them may challenge your sanity and also, you may not look at a few things the same way you looked at them before.
Some of them may challenge your sanity and also, you may not look at a few things the same way you looked at them before.
March 4, 2021
Another great book!
I have enjoyed this one just as much as the last. And I always find myself throwing these facts out to my family... Lol. Looking forward to reading more... And of course sharing my new found knowledge. Thanks again!
I have enjoyed this one just as much as the last. And I always find myself throwing these facts out to my family... Lol. Looking forward to reading more... And of course sharing my new found knowledge. Thanks again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews